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Things to do in Ipanema

Our most recommended things to do in Ipanema

Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selaron & BBQ Lunch

1. Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selaron & BBQ Lunch

Discover the landmarks of Rio on a full-day guided tour, including pickup and drop off at hotels in Rio. Start with a visit to Corcovado Mountain. Ride by van to the top or board the train, both through the Tijuca Forest. Then, marvel at the main monument of Brazil, the statue of Christ the Redeemer, as you take in panoramic views of Rio. Next, head towards the mythical Maracanã football stadium and observe its imposing façade. Continue to the legendary Sambódromo where the annual Carnival parade takes place. Visit the modern Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro, influenced by Mayan pyramids. Check out the brightly colored tiles of the world-famous Selarón Steps at Lapa, before enjoying a typical Brazilian steakhouse lunch. After lunch, visit Sugar Loaf. Take the cable car to the top in two stages and see one of the most iconic natural landmarks in Rio.

Rio de Janeiro Hang Gliding Adventure

2. Rio de Janeiro Hang Gliding Adventure

First, listen to a short briefing from the world's most safe and experienced Hang Glider tandem pilots. They will tell you about the take-off and other aspects of hang gliding before you get airborne. Then, glide smoothly through the tropical air after about 7 steps over the edge of the platform. Any fear you may have will soon disappear and you will experience a very unique sense of tranquility. Enjoy bird's eye views of Rio de Janeiro's main attractions, including Sugar Loaf Mountain, Corcovado, Copacabana, Ipanema, Lagoa and Niteroi city on the other side of Guanabara Bay. Land safely on a sandy beach in São Conrado and enjoy some refreshments as you watch others come in to land. The entire activity will be photographed and recorded on cameras attached to the glider so that you can share your adventure with your friends and family back home. 

Rio: Olympic Boulevard, AquaRio and Museum of Tomorrow Tour

3. Rio: Olympic Boulevard, AquaRio and Museum of Tomorrow Tour

Take an insightful excursion through Olympic Boulevard, the city's port area that houses the newest of Rio's attractions. Enjoy an informative commentary from your guide and visit the modern Museum of Tomorrow, as well as the AquaRio aquarium, depending on the option you choose. Take advantage of a hotel transfer and head out on your exciting Rio adventure. Visit the Museum of Tomorrow, a technological applied science museum dedicated to exploring and questioning all the possibilities for building the future of the planet and the human race. Take photos of the unusual architecture before walking in to explore the exhibits. Afterward, make a stop at the Kobra Mural, one of the largest graffiti murals in the world, created by Brazilian artist Eduardo Kobra. Observe five ethnic groups depicted realistically before a colorful background. If you book the AquaRio option, you'll have the chance to visit the largest marine aquarium in South America. See more than 5,000 animals from 350 different species from around the world in 28 saltwater tanks. Get up close and even interact with an immense variety of fish, rays, sharks, and corals.

Rio de Janeiro: Tandem Paragliding Flight

4. Rio de Janeiro: Tandem Paragliding Flight

Benefit from pickup from your hotel, meet at São Conrado Subway station, or make your own way to the Brazilian Confederation of Hang Gliding headquarters to meet your instructor (depending on option selected). After a comprehensive safety briefing from your instructor, take off from Pedra Bonita Ramp inside the Tijuca National Park, one of the biggest urban forests in Brazil.  Once off the ground, observe the spectacular natural landscape of Rio de Janeiro. Take in sights such as Rio’s famous beaches of Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon. Spot natural landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Guanabara Bay, and much more. Your flight finishes with a smooth landing on the beach of São Conrado. The whole adventure can be captured in video and photos from GoPro cameras attached to the paraglider.

Rio de Janeiro: 30 or 60-Minute Highlights Helicopter Tour

5. Rio de Janeiro: 30 or 60-Minute Highlights Helicopter Tour

For the 30-minute helicopter sightseeing flight, experience the spectacular sights of Rio de Janeiro from the sky. As you take off from the airport located near the Olympic center, head upwards and fly towards the shores of Barra da Tijuca. The captain will take you along the shoreline over Rio’s fabulous beaches of Barra da Tijuca, Joatinga, São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana.  Next, see highlights of the city, which include Sugarloaf Mountain and the impressive Christ the Redeemer statue, standing atop Corcovado Mountain. Enjoy plenty of opportunities to take unique photos while hovering in the sky. Alternatively, upgrade your tour to the 60-minute tour, which is the same as the 30-minute tour but also includes flying over the Modern Museum of Art of Niterói, Santos Dumont Airport, Downtown Rio, Maracanã Stadium, Tijuca Forest, and more. Book your flight during the day, at sunset or in the evening up until 8 PM..

Rio: Christ the Redeemer Official Ticket with Van Transport

6. Rio: Christ the Redeemer Official Ticket with Van Transport

Guarantee a visit to Rio de Janeiro‘s iconic Christ the Redeemer statue with official tickets and official transportation. Choose one of the two departure points in Copacabana or Largo do Machado, which are located in strategic points easily accessible by public bus and subway. Experience breathtaking views of the city from the top of Corcovado mountain during your journey to the statute. Enjoy the exuberant nature and cultural landscapes throughout the trip.  When passing through the historic and cultural neighborhood of Santa Teresa, be sure to record the panoramic view from Mirante dos Prazeres. On your way to Tijuca National Park, you will see the Caixa da Mãe D’água Aquifer, built-in 1774 by the Portuguese Crown. This structure was, at the time, mainly responsible for the large-scale water supply reaching the city of Rio de Janeiro. Arrive directly at the visitor's center of Paineiras Corcovado, a new adjacent structure with restaurants, a cafe, a gift shop, and a museum. Be sure to explore the Paineiras Visitor Center displaying exhibitions and models of the city of Rio de Janeiro. From the Visitors Center, board another van to the top of Corcovado Hill, for a closer look at the Christ the Redeemer statue.  Learn about how the art deco statue was first opened to the public in 1931 atop a 710 m high granite dome. Get spectacular 360 views from Rio of the Tijuca Forest, Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, and the most stunning beaches in the city such as Copacabana and Ipanema.  After your day of exploring one of the 7 Wonders of the Modern World, be comfortably driven back to your initial pickup point at either Copacabana or Largo do Machado.

Rio de Janeiro: Guided Bike Tours in Small Groups

7. Rio de Janeiro: Guided Bike Tours in Small Groups

Choose from 3 different itineraries to best fit your time in Rio and your preferences. Explore some of the city's highlights on a small-group bike tour with an expert guide and learn about the historical background of the city. • 3-Hour Urban Tour: Praia Vermelha, Botafogo & Lagoa Visit several of Rio's famous sites and some of its traditional neighborhoods on this tour that focuses on the southern part of the city. Start at Copacabana beach to experience where locals spend a large part of their social life. From there, bike to Sugarloaf Mountain to view its imposing vastness up-close, and make a stop at nearby Vermelha Beach, a tiny oasis of quietness. Next, pedal to the lively neighborhood of Botafogo to get a glimpse of the back lanes of Rio. This stretch of the bike tour will give you a closer look at how real Cariocas live when they’re not on the beach. Finally, head to Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, and admire its surrounding green hillsides and fancy neighborhoods. • 4-Hour Panoramic Tour: Botafogo, Flamengo Park & Old Rio Get a panoramic perspective of Rio on this tour that goes from Copacabana to the shores of the Bay of Guanabara, Lapa, and Rio’s historical center. Making use of the new cycle paths, bike through the lively backstreets of iconic neighborhood Copacabana to Botafogo. There, pass by Rio’s “celebrity” cemetery, São João Batista, the resting place of several Brazilian presidents, writers, singers, actors, and renowned Brazilian architect, Oscar Niemeyer. Pedal on to the Bay of Guanabara along the beach of Flamengo, the site of the first European settlement after the discovery of the city. Continue to the historical center of Rio, with stops at Cinelândia and the bohemian neighborhood Lapa, well-known for its nightlife and the Selarón steps, 250 steps covered in more than 2000 tiles from different countries. On the way back, cycle along the paths that wind through Flamengo Park, designed by famous Brazilian landscaper, Burle Marx. The last stretch of the tour will pass along Copacabana beach. 7-Hour Ultimate Tour: Urban Tour + Panoramic Tour + Lunch Discover the best of Rio de Janeiro in just one day. As well as exploring the popular South Zone, famous for the iconic Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, pedal through less well-known but equally fascinating neighborhoods such as Botafogo and Urca. After taking these in, head to the old city center where you’ll stop in the Bohemian quarter of Lapa. Take a step back to Rio's colonial past at the historic Cinelândia Square, and visit Jorge Selarón’s psychedelically decorated staircase to see how art can be truly public in this city. Savor a typical Brazilian lunch — included in the tour — at a local restaurant. The last stretch of the cycle tour passes by the beautiful lake, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, surrounded by hills clad with lush Atlantic rainforest. Last, soak up lots of great views of Rio’s most famous landmarks, the Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer.

Rio de Janeiro: Full-Day City Tour with Optional Tickets

8. Rio de Janeiro: Full-Day City Tour with Optional Tickets

Make the most of your time in Rio de Janeiro with an 8-hour city tour. Throughout the duration of this experience, you'll discover the city's most iconic attractions whilst enjoying the company of a bilingual local guide.Enjoy a lively day filled with popular attractions such as the Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Maracanã Stadium (outside), the Selarón Staircase, and the historical downtown district. You'll also encounter both the Sugar Loaf and Corcovado mountains, along with the Christ the Redeemer Statue and other sights.Later, discover the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood, which is home to a collection of local boutiques and galleries. The tour follows a set itinerary for people of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities seeking to discover the beauties of the city in the company of an expert guide.

Wonders of Rio: Christ, Selaron Steps, and Tijuca Forest

9. Wonders of Rio: Christ, Selaron Steps, and Tijuca Forest

This specially designed 7-hour tour around the city of Rio de Janeiro provides a unique chance to see the attractions of Rio de Janeiro with a professional English speaking tour guide showing you all around. The day tour starts with pick-up at your hotel or hostel in Rio. Your first stop will be at São Conrado beach where the hang gliders land after their take off from Pedra Bonita. You will enjoy amazing views of the high mountains on the blue coast of the ocean. From there, you will visit the Tijuca National Park and get a glimpse of the greenest tropical rainforest. This is the best spot to check how nature and the urban area can coexist, while seeing waterfalls, tropical plants and the wildlife.  After that, stop for lunch in Ipanema, and then hit the road again, this time to visit the Christ The Redeemer. Remember to bring your camera for the breathtaking photos of this memorable day. After the visit to the Christ, have a stop in Santa Teresa. This is one of the most traditional neighborhoods of Rio. It still retains much of its original architecture and character of previous colonial years. At the end of your Rio day tour, see the Escadaria Selaron or secret Lapa steps where Snoop Dogg shot his famous video for ‘Beautiful’ with Pharrell Williams. Finally, you will be offered the option to be dropped off at Sugarloaf Mountain in time for enjoying the sunset or to be dropped off back in your hotel or hostel.

Corcovado, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Selarón Steps 6-Hour Tour

10. Corcovado, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Selarón Steps 6-Hour Tour

Discover the best of Rio de Janeiro on a 6-hour guided tour of Corcovado, Selarón Steps, and Sugar Loaf Mountain and see it all! Following a pick-up from your hotel, transfer to Corcovado Mountain through the Tijuca Rainforest. Ascend to the summit to see the 38-meter (128-foot) tall statue of Christ the Redeemer. Enjoy spectacular views of Rio and its surrounding countryside. Then, travel back downhill to take a tour of the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood. Admire its charming architecture and go to the famous Selarón Steps made in ceramic by the artist Jorge Selarón. After that, head to the Sugar Loaf Mountain taking a ride through the charming neighborhood of Urca to take the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf in two stages. The first cable car takes you to Urca Hill, from where you will get beautiful views of Guanabara Bay, the Rio-Niterói Bridge and Corcovado Mountain. Continue to the summit for unrivaled views of Copacabana, Santa Cruz Fortress and the beaches of Niterói.

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What people are saying about Ipanema

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 2,243 reviews

Mauricio was super smooth, seemed like one of the best gliders. He gave me clear simple instructions and we had a great flight. Very freeing. The only bad part was how short the flight itself was, under 10 minutes.

The flight was very nice. The pilot is very profesional and careful. The agency request you must be 30 minutes before the flight. We don’t know why if they put you on the air 2 hours late.

We were so pleased with this tour . It was really efficiently run. Renato was an excellent guide. A really good way to get to do the major Rio sights in one day .

The tour was excellent. Our guide Geasa was absolutely friendly, on time and helpful. The places was great.

Great tour. Lucia and Marcelo were excellent. Great adventure, great knowledge, thoroughly satisfying.